My chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>Hey, I'm new to the forums, male, and a rising senior, and I am wondering your opinion on my chances of getting into the Naval Academy.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.5/4.0</p>

<p>SAT: 500 M, 570 V, 570 W</p>

<p>Athletics:
4 Yr. Varsity Letterwinner in Swimming
3 Yr. Varsity Letterwinner in Lacrosse</p>

<p>Clubs:
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 3 yrs.
Leo's Club: 4 Years, ran Relay for Life</p>

<p>Community:
Youth Group - tutored dis-advantaged children
Habitat for Humanity - Fund Raiser/builder
County Clean-up Organizer - 3 yrs.</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Lifeguard (Pool and Waterfront Certified) - 2 yrs.</p>

<p>Summer Seminar Session 1
Squad leader said she gave me a "really great" recommendation (what does this mean - is it on a points system) because I showed a lot of leadership. I also scored highly on the CFA. </p>

<p>Now, obviously my SAT's are not where I would like them to be, but I will take them again and hopefully do better. But, I am hoping that my activities record, essays, and overall desperate-for-appointment attitude will help with the admissions decision.</p>

<p>Also, how are my chances of getting into the Prep School or Foundation - I haven't spoke to the lacrosse or swimming coaches yet, but are these Prep Programs reserved for Athletes?</p>

<p>Also, does having a relative at the Academy help?</p>

<p>And, I am from a realtively non-competitive area, so will that also help?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Your record looks good enough to give it a whirl. Others with more current or applicable knowledge will undoubtedly be along soon to offer specific improvement goals, but at first glance you should be reasonably OK.</p>

<p>Your chances of getting into NAPS are about as good as getting into USNA. I cannot answer for the Foundation schools.</p>

<p>Having a relative at USNA does not generally get you any points that I know of. If one of your parents was an alumni, then I think the story would be a little different.</p>

<p>What "non-competitive area" are you from?</p>

<p>As I and others have cautioned those posting threads like this: the best way to find out what your chances are is to apply and find out for real. Sadly, while there is plenty of data out there that can guide you on improving yourself, the fact remains that some variables simply cannot be controlled or even predicted, so your best answer is to shoot with the best ammo you have and hope you hit the target.</p>

<p>Best of luck, and welcome to the board. :)</p>

3

<p>Raise your SAT.</p>

4

<p>mdlax10,</p>

<p>The minimum SAT/ACT scores according to the USNA admissions office:</p>

<p>[ul][<em>]SAT CR - 600
[</em>]SAT Math - 600
[<em>]ACT English - 26
[</em>]ACT Math - 26[/ul]
You need to improve you scores to be competitive. GPA isn't part of the equation but class rank is one of the more important factors.</p>

5

<p>I can definately get my Verbal score up past the 600 mark, just because now I know the overall format of the test..but the Math portion I am not so sure about....I can probably get that up to 550..</p>

<p>Is the SAT the most important factor?</p>

<p>I am in the top portion of my class though..</p>

<p>And Zaphod, why are my chances of getting into NAPS the same of getting into the Academy?</p>

<p>Any other tips?</p>

<p>Thanks guys</p>

6

<p>mdlax10,
take an SAT prep class, especially the type that helps you take and prepare for the tests, and then take the SATs over and over again, you lose nothing but a little time and money retaking the test. You can also take the ACTs, and some people have an easier time with ACT vs. SAT, that's you call. The best thing I can say is don't settle for anything less than the best you can possibly do on the standardized tests, work on getting them up to 600+ levels. I would also focus some time and energy on the athletic side and contact both coaches, Lacrosse is big at the Academy and if you have the skills that may help support your application. There are a lot of posts here that speak to your question, read them and get working, it's never too early to get going. Good Luck</p>

7

<p>Hi mdlax...</p>

<p>welcome...</p>

<p>Will second the advice that "you never know until you try".....</p>

<p>but to make your chances a bit better....</p>

<p>the place to start is with the SATs, which I think you recognize. While you should be aiming at >600 on the verbal, the math section weights a bit "heavier"....so the goal for that should be 600+.... more like 650!</p>

<p>So how to do that....
if you can, get a tutor. It will be worth the investment, no matter where you apply.
If that is not an option, then take a review course....
if funds are limited and do not allow for that, purchase some SAT review books and work on them religiously....</p>

<p>taking sample tests will help improve your score....
start taking them a section at a time, until you can work out all the problems and get them "correct"
-you will find a pattern with some of the questions from year to year, so practicing is key in learning the right strategies as to how to approach the test-
-and be diligent in the effort (by that, consider devoting not only your summer to math and "reading" in general, but at least several hours weekly to work on this)</p>

<p>if you find you are getting the same "type" of questions wrong on repeated tests, try and sit down with some one that can help you in that area (math teacher, fellow student in the math club, etc)....re-learn those topics if necessary....</p>

<p>then practice taking the test in "timed sessions".... under testing conditions....(math and verbal sections seperately at first, then together as you would on a real testing date)....</p>

<p>that will give you the best chance of raising your SAT scores.</p>

<p>NAPS/Foundation:
you will automatically be considered for those programs if the admissions board passes on you for a direct appointment.....but that will be true for the rest of the applications the USNA receives as well. Thus, the odds still remain steep for either NAPS or Foundation (NAPS takes about 250, foundation from 60-80 students a year)..... but what you can do is indicate on your application that you would be "definately interested should an offer of NAPS or foundation come your way"....</p>

<p>NAPS and the Foundation program are not "reserved for athletes".... NAPS is primarily there to assist currently enlisted who have been selected out to attend USNA....although many USNA-bound athletes do find their way into the program. The Foundation program is limited to who they select....it is my understanding no more than "20%" of the offers for the foundation program can be offered to "athletes".... so you are looking at offers numbering somewhere in the 12-16 slot range....depending on the number of "offers" for a given year (generally average 60-80). </p>

<p>As an aside, if an offer of NAPs or Foundation come your way....RUN don't walk to the post office with your "acceptance" response..... you won't regret it!</p>

<p>If you play a sport, definately DO contact the coach at NAVY (and any other school to which you are applying...make sure you have some back up plans in place!)....</p>

<p>just keep in mind, no matter how "interested" the coaches may be in an athlete, they can't work miracles....you will need to give them the material to work with....which includes SAT scores, GPA/Class rank, etc.......</p>

<p>so while preping for the SATs, don't overlook your regular studies once the academic year starts....use your summer wisely! </p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>

8

<p>My son was:
QQQ no waivers
principle nom
6 Varsity Letters
4 years team caption
Nationaly ranked swimmer
glowing letters of recomendations
ACT: math 26 Eng. 25 ( I think this is what killed him)
4.06 GPA
NHS
top 10% of Class</p>

<p>No offer of appt, wait list, NAPS or NROTC from Navy</p>

<p>Offer of prep program from ARMY, AROTC without ever appying.</p>

<p>his response: GO ARMY!</p>

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<p>english act was what hurt D also everything else was there but a 25 english!!!</p>

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<p>

[quote="rjrzoom57, post:6, topic:357831"]

...take an SAT prep class, especially the type that helps you take and prepare for the tests, and then take the SATs over and over again, you lose nothing but a little time and money retaking the test. You can also take the ACTs, and some people have an easier time with ACT vs. SAT, that's you call....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is excellent advice. My daughter has taken the SAT five times and the ACT three times. In my daughter's case, she has received much better scores on the ACT. Her highest SAT CR scores is 570 but her highest ACT English score is 34 which USNA converted to a 760. In my son's case, he did much better on the SAT.</p>

<p>Also, the Math score counts considerably more than the CR/English score.</p>

11

<p>31% of the incoming class had 25 or below on Enlish and that score puts him well above the national average. He is happy with the offer from West Point and is looking forward to joining the class of 2012 after a year in a foundation school (Marion Military)</p>

12

<p>Are things weighed differently for females or no? I currently have 640 math and 540 verbal.</p>

13

<p>mdlax10, I'd be encouraged by your summer seminar acceptance and performance.</p>

<p>Follow the advice re: knocking yourself out to raise test scores. My son was rejected for summer seminar in very short order (he guessed due to weak PSATs). He concentrated on raising scores, resulting in an app profile a lot like djfrro's son, but w/ slightly higher test numbers. He was offered NAPS, excelled there, and is now "enjoying" plebe summer a a member of the class of 2011. </p>

<p>Son's SAINTED BGO was a wonderful advisor. If you are fortunate enough to have a great, engaged BGO, ask advice, LISTEN to it, and let that person know of your sincere desire to serve. Don't be a pest, of course, but take advantage of expertise if it's available to you. Good luck!</p>

14

<p>I have come to believe that a lot of it is just luck of the draw. My son's BGO was not real helpful. Also when we began the process he was considered a recruited athlete but the coach changed his mind early in the fall. He is now a recruited athlete for WP. I am a true believer that God will put you where you belong and that is why my son is going to west point. if you don't try you will always wonder what could have been. There are those at USNA who did not have as good as a record as he does. but that is the way it is. We talked to him about the possibility of attending a civ college next year and trying for usna again but now he is all army and can't wait to get to his prep school and onto WP. It is not an easy task to even apply. there were days that I just wanted to chuck it all and say go to one of the colleges that are offering you thousand of dollars worth of scholarships ($90,000 in all ) but his heart is set on attending a service academy so that is what he is doing. just do everything you can to improve you chances and go for it.</p>

15

<p>djfrro-</p>

<p>I think what you have to keep in mind is that you must also compete within your congressional district....and where you fall on that slate....and how many slots that particular MOC has at the academy at the time.</p>

<p>As for coaches....i think most cast out a "wide net" in the beginning.... then the choices get narrowed.... sometimes the candidate does not end up with the marks they need to get the stamp of admissions.... or perhaps the marks come "too late" in the process and after team positions have been filled.... </p>

<p>like we cautioned our son, there will always be someone who can jump higher-farther-faster.....</p>

<p>and I do think some of it is "luck"....
and just not enough seats for all the great kids that apply...</p>

<p>like our son told his BGO, he considered himself to be "one of the lucky few of the deserving many"....</p>

<p>(thankfully, he had not one, but two terrific BGO's... )</p>

<p>best of luck to your Cadet at West Point-
you have much to be proud of!</p>

16

<p>Navy, you're right, no one here is bitter toward usna, we told our son from the very begining that his chances were slim just because it is a service academy. everyone who applies is the cream of the crop. He did everything he could and I think that if he had not recieved the offer from WP he would try again next year . about 30% of each class is from second timers weather it be from NROTC, a civ college or regular Navy. Best of luck to the class of 2011 but I guess I will be rooting for Army from now on.</p>

17

<p>


</p>

<p>Then he would have gotten an appointment. There was probably a miscommunication from your MOC's office as to the type of nominations he presented.</p>

18

<p>that my be true, the only other thing is that he did not become scholaticaly qualified untill very late in the process, after he took the last SAT that he could.</p>

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<p>^^^^^ They advertise that they will wait until after the January SAT and the February ACT before making decisions. Did he take a later test and become QQQed with it? I have often wondered what would happen in this case. If they had not decided on a candidate, would they ignore a March test or would it somehow figure into the mix?</p>

20

<p>
[quote]
And Zaphod, why are my chances of getting into NAPS the same of getting into the Academy?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Sorry I've taken so long to respond to this. :o</p>

<p>NAPS is one of those entities that is misunderstood even by those who have been there. Heck, I'd never even heard of it until I was halfway through my USNA application process (this was in the days before the internet and related information systems). Back then, NAPS had a small paragraph buried in the back of the USNA catalog.</p>

<p>As to my statement that getting NAPS is just as difficult as getting USNA... It is based on odds. Let me explain by providing some general numbers as an example.</p>

<p>USNA admits approximately 1,200 new Mids each year, and NAPS does about 250. Since graduating from NAPS guarantees you an appointment to USNA in all but the rarest of instances (and albeit a year later), we can safely conclude that the target you are really trying to hit is approximately 1450 slots.</p>

<p>About 12,000 people apply to USNA each year. Of those, about 10% get appointments and 2.1% get into NAPS. Bottom line, you have less than 13% chance of an acceptance to USNA in any form in a given year. </p>

<p>NAPS appointments are a slightly bit more nebulous than those to USNA. In one manner of thinking, the first 250 people in line after the 1,200 USNA slots have been picked get offered NAPS. While that is definitely an oversimplification, the general principal applies to a large enough degree that it works for the discussion.</p>

<p>So, in answer to your question, it is not any easier to get into NAPS than USNA. If you REALLY want to crunch numbers, it is HARDER to get into NAPS, because while 10% may get into USNA, only 2.3% (250/(12,000-1,200)*100)of the remainder of the applicants get slots at NAPS.</p>

<p>Now, please understand: The numbers above are estimates only. The actual appointment process has enough Kentucky Windage added to it that making pat predictions is like rolling dice in Vegas. As mentioned above, guys with exemplary application packets did not get appointments to either USNA or NAPS, but slugs like me and others I know did. The exact reasons why are anyone's guess, and despite the opinion of some mentally-vacant trolls here, affirmative action has nothing to do with it. USNA69 (a bona fide BGO) explained that in that case it may have been a miscommunication between the MOC and the appointment committee. A simple beauracratic SNAFU, and there go the chances of an otherwise "perfect" candidate. It happens, I'm sorry to say...</p>

<p>This is why I continue to tell kids who ask the "What are my chances?" threads to find out for sure and apply anyway. If you DON'T apply, I can assure you that you will NOT get an appointment.</p>

<p>Others have given you sound advice on the nuts and bolts of what to improve. It seems to focus on your SAT's. I recommend you take the SAT prep class and go through the Barron's sample tests A LOT. That helped me in my day, and I see no reason to suspect it won't help you.</p>

<p>The most important thing, however, continues to be that you must exude an attitude that absolutely NOTHING less then USNA will suffice. NOTHING. I applied to USNA, USCGA, and SUNY Maritime College. When I was asked why I applied to SUNY, my response was, "Well, I gotta go to school somewhere while I reapply to USNA...". I believe that attitude, more than anything else, helped me overcome those shortcomings I had in my application file. You can do the same.</p>

<p>Good luck. It's a long, hard road, full of unexpected twists, moments of euphoria, and moments of utter despair, but it's worth it. If I may borrow from Scripture: "...yet he who holds fast until the end shall be saved."</p>

<p>I'll simply say "Amen" to that. :)</p>